Who has scored the most Premier League goals in a debut season?
They used to say 'records are made to broken', but these days it's more along the lines of 'records are made for Erling Haaland to break and keep forever'. Or at least that's what it's felt like during the opening months of the 2022/23 Premier League season.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker has made a monstrous start to life at Manchester City and seems destined to smash all records set by legendary goalscorers since the league's inception in 1992.
Here's who Haaland is fighting already to become the most prolific striker in their debut Premier League season.
Who has scored the most Premier League goals in a debut season?
The record for most Premier League goals scored in a debut season is currently held by former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips.
He struck 30 times in 36 league games during the 1999/00 season, leading Sunderland to a remarkable seventh-placed finish and also earning the European Golden Shoe award. That award has been picked up by some of the game's greatest ever players, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Robert Lewandowski.
Phillips had never previously played in the top flight but 23 goals in 26 games the season prior helped Sunderland achieve promotion as First Division champions.
The Premier League recognises Phillips as the record holder, though Andy Cole scored 34 goals during his first season in the top flight. This feat, however, occurred in the 1993/94 campaign when teams played 42 matches instead of 38.
Mohamed Salah also breezed past 30 goals in his debut season with Liverpool, but he had previously played for Chelsea.
Will Erling Haaland break the record?
Sunderland and Phillips have held this record for a long time but it looks set to be obliterated by Haaland, whose strike rate is unmatched around Europe.
Haaland struck against Bournemouth to take his tally up to 27 goals, leaving only Phillips to overtake. The smart money is on Haaland managing another four goals before the season is up to take the record.
Which players can Erling Haaland overtake?
Legendary Premier League goalscorers are now nervously looking over their shoulders, afraid that their achievements could become a mere footnote compared to Haaland's collection of records and statistics.
- Andy Cole (Newcastle) - 34 goals - 1993/94 (42-game season)
- Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) - 30 goals - 1999/00
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 27 goals* - 2022/23
- Fernando Torres (Liverpool) - 24 goals - 2007/08
- Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) - 23 goals - 2001/02
- Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) - 23 goals - 2011/12
- Teddy Sheringham (Nottingham Forest/Tottenham) - 22 goals - 1992/93 (42-game season)
- Les Ferdinand (Queens Park Rangers) - 20 goals - 1992/93 (42-game season)